Chocolate Unwrapped: The Surprising Health Benefits of America's Favorite Passion

by Rowan Jacobsen, Peter Holm (Designed by)

Overview

Detailing the positive physical and psychological effects of chocolate, this book explores its colorful history, botany, and chemistry. Explaining the science behind chocolate, common myths about chocolate—that it causes acne, allergies, migraines, and hyperactivity—are dispelled, and its benefits—tannins in chocolate actually help prevent cavities—are revealed. Providing medical information relating to chocolate's high antioxidant levels and beneficial effects in terms of heart disease, cancer, aging, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease, the book also includes information regarding chocolate's mental health benefits. The included recipes provide a multitude of healthy ways to eat chocolate, from flourless chocolate cake to Mexican mole, and a comprehensive list of resources shows chocolate lovers where to find the best-quality chocolates around the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781931229319
Publisher:	Invisible Cities Press Llc
Publication date:	10/01/2003
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.37(d)

About the Author

* Chocolate has the highest concentration of antioxidants of any food on the planet—10 times that of spinach!
* Chocolate is a good source of polyphenols, the same type of antioxidants found in red wine
* Flavonoids in dark chocolate are good for your heart—they reduce the stickiness of platelets, and aid in clotting and preventing coronary artery blockages
* Even the fat in chocolate is "good fat"—it is stearic acid, which doesn’t affect cholesterol levels

Explores the science behind the health benefits of chocolate and dispels the myths and misconceptions surrounding it, with bonus chapters that include lore, history, and a sampling of healthy, delicious recipes from around the world

Table of Contents

	Introduction	1
1.	A Brief History of Chocolate	8
2.	From Bean to Bonbon	22
	Dark Chocolate	29
	Milk Chocolate	31
	Cocoa Powder	32
	The Proof Is in the Pudding	33
3.	Chocolate Is Health Food	34
	What Are Antioxidants?	35
	Top Antioxidant Foods	36
	How Antioxidants Work	37
	The Panama Paradox	40
	Tasty Aspirin?	41
	Chocolate Studies	42
	Other Antioxidant Studies	43
	Cardiovascular Disease	43
	Cancer	45
	Alzheimer's Disease	46
	Arthritis	47
	Asthma and Allergies	48
	Cough Suppressant	48
	The Big Picture	49
4.	What's in Chocolate?	50
	The Skinny on Fat	50
	Chocolate Nutrients	54
	Nutrient Information of Dark Chocolate	55
	Cocoa Content	58
5.	Chocolate on the Brain	61
	Caffeine	62
	Theobromine	63
	Serotonin and Tryptophan	64
	Phenylethylamine	65
	Anandamide	66
	The Perfect Storm	68
	Cravings	69
6.	Melting the Myths	72
	Acne	73
	Allergies	74
	ADHD	75
	Cavities	76
	Heart Palpitations	77
	Migraines	77
	Obesity	79
7.	Chocolate Growing Today: Child Labor and Environmental Issues	80
	Labor Practices	81
	Environmental Issues	85
8.	Recipes	89
	Chocolate Sauce	91
	Chocolate Tandoori	92
	Chocolate Corn Bread	94
	Mary's Holy Mole	96
	Sicilian Chocolate Pasta	98
	New World Nachos	100
	Chocolate Breakfast Atole	101
	Grown-up Hot Chocolate	102
	Righteous Cookies	104
	Not-Messing-Around Chocolate Cake	106
	World's Best Brownies	108
	Simple Chocolate Mouse	110
	Enrobed Bananas	112
	Conclusion: Chocolate Is Not Sinful	113
	Resources: The World's Healthiest, Most Delicious Chocolate, Delivered to Your Door	115
	Chocolate Companies	115
	Mail Order	121
	Magazines	122
	Informational Websites	122
	Acknowledgments	124
	References	125

Editorial Reviews

“Chocolate lovers rejoice! Finally, an in-depth and delightful look at the healthy side of one of the most enchanting delicacies on earth.” —Deirdre Heekin, author, Pane e Salute

From the Publisher